On April 19, 2006, when Ascher was three, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus caused by a brain tumor. At that time we were living in Panama City Beach, FL and after the initial diagnosis in the emergency room we were transferred to the Children’s wing of Sacred Heart hospital in Pensacola. We eventually came to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Scottish Rite campus) for surgery and treatment. We had the best team of doctors, Dr. Hudgins and Dr. Mazewski. We always say they are the best people we wish we had never met. Ascher’s tumor was a non-germinous germ cell tumor or a mixed germ cell tumor and on May 17, 2006, it was successfully removed. This day just so happened to be his father’s birthday- what a gift! Ascher finished Chemotherapy on October 13, 2006 and did not have to endure any further treatment. There is some scar tissue that we keep an eye on with 6 month MRIs but all in all he is doing GREAT! We are looking forward to October when he will reach the 5 year off-treatment milestone. I remember when this milestone seemed like an eternity and now it is just around the corner!

While Ascher was undergoing treatment he became a big brother and we welcomed our second son, Ari. Our family is now complete and the boys get along beautifully! Ari loves telling his friends all about his brother’s brain tumor and that the surgeon touched his BRAIN!!!

Ascher continues to grow and do well in school. He plays golf and baseball and participates in Choi Kwang Do where he has already earned his senior gold belt and is on his way towards his black belt.

This path is not one that we would have chosen but it is OUR path and we have made the best of it. We have met wonderful families and friends along the way and continue to meet more every day. Our hope is for a cure, but until that day, we are thankful for all of the support and compassion that we have received and the opportunity to share our story with others.